L.K. Atheeq, Financial Advisor to the Chief Minister, speaking at the 6th edition of Mangaluru Technovanza at T.M.A. Pai International Convention Centre, in Mangaluru on Wednesday.
| Photo Credit: H.S. MANJUNATH
Financial Advisor to the Chief Minister L.K. Atheeq said here on Wednesday that the Mangaluru Design Council will be launched to advise the government on urban design and planning.
Speaking at a session on ‘Policy, Industry, and Capital for Mangaluru’ at the sixth edition of Mangaluru Technovanza – 2026, he said that as the city grows, traffic management needs to be given attention. At the same time, proper development of infrastructure and its management are key to development.
“Mangaluru Design Council will act like a think tank for urban design and planning. The council will have eight stakeholders as of now,” he said.
Some of the stakeholders are the Kanara Chamber of Commerce and Industry, CREDAI Mangaluru, the Architects Association, the Confederation of Indian Industry, the Engineers Association, and the Coastal Tourism Development Council, he said.
Mr. Atheeq said land is available for the development of an IT park and industries in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts.
The Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board (KIADB) has issued the final notification for the acquisition and development of 350 acres of land at Balkunje. About 100 acres of the 350 acres can be carved out for setting up an IT park or technology park.
In addition, Mr. Atheeq said 350 acres of undeveloped land is available with the New Mangalore Port Authority (NMPA). “This land can also be opened up for development either on a lease or rent-sharing basis,” he said.
The Financial Advisor said land is also available near Padubidri for development. Of about 40 acres of land in Tannirbavi, 20 acres are available for development.
Availability of land for setting up “plug and play” facilities is crucial. The development of an IT park and data centres is also required, and the challenges will have to be overcome.
B. V. Naidu, chairman, Karnataka Digital Economy Mission (KDEM), which organised the Technovanza under the ‘Beyond Bengaluru’ mission, said that the National Institute of Technology – Karnataka, Surathkal, has come forward to set up a Centre of Excellence on Data Centre.
A report, ‘Silicon Beach Skills, Talent Landscape of Udupi and Mangaluru Cluster’, was released on the occasion.
In addition, another report, ‘AI Governance for Indian Startups’, was released.
Published – September 23, 2026 07:34 pm IST
